Chapter 84: Take One as They Come

"You... you!"
The crowd from the Bamboo Peak stared at Shen Qingyun in terror; had he lost his mind? He actually dared to kill someone!
Even Ling Xiao hadn’t expected he would really strike so ruthlessly; his pupils contracted instantly, for even he was startled by Shen Qingyun’s ferocity.
A life, taken without hesitation, as simply as one might swat a fly. Who here could do such a thing?
Shen Qingyun tossed his sword aside as though it were nothing but trash.
"How can you be so cruel, so relentless against your fellow disciples?"
The man who had spoken earlier raised his hand, pointing at Shen Qingyun, his face full of grief. "You’re not human! You’re a demon!"
"Say whatever you like."
Shen Qingyun turned away, scooping Feng Chuxun into his arms, leaving the crowd with only the elegant view of his departing back. "I only know that this man gravely injured someone of mine; thus, he is my enemy."
"As for enemies, I will show no mercy. If any among you wish to avenge him, come at me!"
Everyone watched as Shen Qingyun’s figure vanished into the darkness, not a single soul daring to make a move. Though their hearts ached with sorrow, reason prevailed—if they truly struck now, things would be different.
Their identities would shift from teammates to adversaries, and Shen Qingyun had made it clear he would not spare anyone he deemed an enemy. The meaning was obvious: attack, and the bodies on the ground would multiply—not just one corpse, but two, perhaps even more...
There was not the slightest doubt as to whether Shen Qingyun would carry out his threat.
The one who called him a demon moved, but only to approach the corpse. Stepping through blood, he closed his eyes and inhaled the faint scent of iron deeply. With a wave of his hand, he stored the body and its severed head in his spatial pouch.
"I cannot bear to see a fellow disciple’s corpse abandoned here. I’ll take him back to the sect and let him rest in peace. At the same time, this is irrefutable evidence of the demon’s actions! He must be punished!"
He turned to face the crowd, his voice solemn. "Brothers, we’ve seen his true nature now. If we continue to stay in his team, we’ll be the next victims!"
At his words, many lowered their heads in silence, none willing to respond.
Seeing this, the man gritted his teeth and raised his voice sharply. "Just because he gave you some benefits, you blindly follow him? Even if you gain much, think—what’s the use if you don’t survive to enjoy it?"
"And what, do you expect us to leave and form a new team?"
"Yes, but if we do, we’ll be facing the monsters of Ghost Valley alone..."
A single voice was joined by many in agreement.
Satisfied that he’d achieved his aim, the man’s lips curled up briefly before his expression hardened once more. "Join Senior Brother Gu’s team!"
"Senior Brother Gu’s team?"
Many were stunned.
"Yes, Senior Brother Gu’s team!"
"But his team is far from here. Can we reach them safely?"
"Don’t worry, with his temperament, he’ll surely come to avenge Xiao Er!" As he spoke, the man raised a fist to his chest, full of confidence.
"When the time comes, we’ll seize the chance to join Senior Brother Gu."
"Who’s willing to go with me?"
"I am!"
"Me too!"
"Count me in!"
"I’ll go as well..."

...
With one person leading, others quickly followed suit. Before long, aside from Ling Xiao and the present Su Ye and the Qiao sisters, everyone chose to join Gu Yang’s team at the opportune moment.
"You..."
Rage boiled in Su Ye’s chest. Along the journey, Shen Qingyun had shared all the benefits fairly. Now, with just a few words, the whole group had betrayed the team.
A pack of ingrates, unworthy of trust!
Su Ye moved to confront them, only to find himself seized by a large hand. Following the arm, he saw it was Ling Xiao who held him.
"Senior Brother Ling, what are you doing?"
Su Ye tried to shake free.
"Don’t bother arguing,"
Ling Xiao spoke calmly, as if he could see right through Su Ye’s thoughts.
Hearing him, Su Ye paused, his anger momentarily stilled.
Ling Xiao glanced at him, released his grip, and continued, "Those who wish to leave can’t be stopped. Let’s just watch."
"And besides..." Ling Xiao broke off, shaking his head. "Nothing."
Su Ye blinked at him, annoyed by people who never finished their sentences.
Ling Xiao ignored Su Ye’s questioning, disdainful gaze, and looked toward the man now surrounded by the crowd. The grief in the man’s face had faded, replaced by a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of satisfaction.

...
On Shen Qingyun’s side, he carried Feng Chuxun to the pond where the Ancestor Lotus resided, his gaze deep and calm as he regarded the lotus. He glanced down at Feng Chuxun, whose breath was as thin as a thread...
"There is none in this world whom I cannot save."
As he spoke, Shen Qingyun pushed Feng Chuxun forward; strangely, instead of falling, Feng Chuxun floated steadily toward the Ancestor Lotus.
Sensing the approach, the lotus’s seven-colored petals trembled gently, as if afraid.
"I know you’ve gained awareness, and do not wish to be harvested."
Shen Qingyun addressed the lotus with serenity, "But you must understand, the Ancestor Lotus defies the heavens, and thus is not tolerated by fate. Even if I spare you now, and even after your bloom fades, in the final moment before you take human form, the forces of this world will destroy you, and you will vanish. Such is the destiny of the Ancestor Lotus!"
"Now, I offer you a third choice; you may decide for yourself."
As he spoke, Shen Qingyun’s eyes shimmered subtly. He knew that what he was doing was unprecedented—if it succeeded, this world would gain a peerless being!
"You can feel it, his energy is almost depleted, his life nearly at its end. You, however, have the power to save him." Shen Qingyun continued, gazing at Feng Chuxun above the lotus.
"Merge into his body, become part of his life. You will retain a trace of your consciousness. When the day comes that he breaks through the limits of this world, you shall finally take human form!"
Such a crazy idea—anyone hearing Shen Qingyun would call him a madman without hesitation!
It was simply impossible, not only unprecedented, but unthinkable for the future as well. Yet Shen Qingyun refused to accept that, even if it was only theoretical. He would make it real!
The Ancestor Lotus trembled, a thread of color wafting toward Shen Qingyun, carrying a unique fragrance.
Shen Qingyun allowed the color to enter his brow. After a moment, he smiled, "I had this idea before, but never the opportunity. Who would have thought things would come to this? To save him, this is the only option."
These words were ones he would never have spoken under any other circumstance.
The lotus sent another thread of color toward him.
After receiving it, Shen Qingyun’s expression became solemn. He struck his chest with his right fist and proclaimed, "By the name of the Azure Emperor, I swear that every word I have spoken today is true!"
Suddenly, thunder rumbled overhead, deafening yet audible only to Shen Qingyun. The Ancestor Lotus heard it as well; the oath was sealed.

The lotus swayed, its seven colors interweaving, slowly climbing onto Feng Chuxun’s body and merging with him bit by bit.
Watching this, Shen Qingyun smiled with satisfaction and waved his sleeve, unleashing a surge of spiritual power. Mysterious runes shimmered throughout the area, rearranging themselves into a formation.
Once the formation was active, Shen Qingyun stepped out, turning back to see the tranquil pond, where a seven-colored lotus swayed. As for Feng Chuxun, it was as though he had never appeared at all!

...
In a marshland of Ghost Valley, a group had set up camp. All faces were grave, the atmosphere heavy as if weighed down by invisible stones—every breath felt labored.
Gu Yang leaned against a cliff wall, staring at the person kneeling before him, his expression dark enough to drip water.
"Everything you said is true?"
Zhou Ze kept his head down, trembling at Gu Yang’s words. "It’s true."
A chilling light appeared in Gu Yang’s eyes. He hammered the cliff wall heavily and spoke in a low voice, "Shen Qingyun, to think he dared do such a thing!"
"If I don’t speak up, he really thinks he’s chief disciple? Daring to keep my people!"
It seemed he misunderstood; with two missing, Gu Yang assumed Shen Qingyun had detained them.
Gu Yang stood, walking out of the marsh—no words needed to guess what he intended.
The rest followed.
If he didn’t reclaim his dignity and his people, how could Gu Yang ever hold his place on Bamboo Peak again?

...
"Where is Shen Qingyun? Gu Yang of Bamboo Peak has come to see you and has questions!"
A fierce voice, carried by spiritual energy, exploded over Shen Qingyun’s camp.
The Bamboo Peak disciples stood, craning their necks to look.
Dozens of spiritual lights appeared, streaking toward them like meteors.
"My god, so many! Did Senior Brother Gu bring his whole team?"
"Senior Brother Gu is so loyal; compared to that cold-blooded man, he’s far more worthy of following!"
"Indeed..."
Seeing the crowd, Su Ye grew concerned for Shen Qingyun, saying, "I’m afraid they’re all here to cause trouble for Senior Brother Shen."
Ling Xiao, however, was unconcerned, answering lightly, "What’s there to fear? If we can’t win, we can run. Ghost Valley is vast—unless they want to give up the trial!"
Su Ye considered this seriously and nodded. "True enough."
"Am I so weak in your eyes?"
A calm voice startled Su Ye and Ling Xiao, who turned to Shen Qingyun. Su Ye forced a smile. "No, we were just joking. I absolutely trust you, Senior Brother Shen!"
Ling Xiao shot him a few looks—this guy, quick to change his tune.
Shen Qingyun merely glanced at them, then raised his head toward the approaching spiritual lights. He said quietly, "Don’t worry. My actions won’t implicate you."
"Whoever comes today—I’ll take them all."